Public Address | Cafe | Polity: Saudi sheep: Misappropriating taxpayers' money

Ian Dalziel

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 08:42:52 +1200

Minister McCully . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ali Baa Baa
Separated at birth?

Alfie

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 07:27:33 +1200

Well, whatdya know. Another National Cabinet Minister has been revealed as a dirty liar. Murray McCully lied to Parliament about a potential law suit from the Al Khalaf Group which necessitated an $11.5m taxpayer-funded bribe.

RNZ has finally obtained information under the OIA which shows MFAT's "legal advice" which McCully…

Paul Campbell

Wed, 22 Feb 2017 12:29:50 +1300

Tremain

Kumara Republic

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:24:49 +1300

Talk about turd-polishing.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/317468/pm-defends-saudi-deal-as-good-use-of-taxpayer-money

Rosemary McDonald

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:53:48 +1300

a convenient figleaf for

More fodder for Tremain!

A must see (rather than hear, as it was the usual 'let him off the hook' interview) was Our Leader's body language this morning....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2PKGCBIjSI

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201822764/video-john-key-responds-to-ag's-report-into-saudi-sheep-scandal

Sacha

Mon, 07 Nov 2016 12:33:00 +1300

Fran O'Sullivan fingers the PM as the person who caused offence to the Saudis, requiring Murray's chicanery to sooth them.

This whole saga has been a convenient figleaf for a major point of contention between the Saudis and New Zealand: Prime Minister John Key's decision to abandon his leadership of a…

izogi

Sun, 06 Nov 2016 23:24:26 +1300

Do editorial cartoons often get shared via social media?

I used to see them lots when I read paper newspapers, but almost never now that I get most of my news online. Possibly because I do more drilling into headlines than browsing of pages, but I cannot even recall anything…

Paul Campbell

Sun, 06 Nov 2016 22:53:46 +1300

I don't always see eye to eye with Tremain's cartoons but he does often enough hit one out of the park, and will worry an issue to death which is more than a l.ot of journalists will do these days

Sacha

Sat, 05 Nov 2016 19:23:02 +1300

Great seeing Tremain at both top and bottom of the page. Meanwhile earnest supplicant Audrey Young has some more praise to sing about the magnificent Murray. #present

Paul Campbell

Sat, 05 Nov 2016 16:48:53 +1300

And today's

Paul Campbell

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 19:01:12 +1300

Tomorrow's Tremain

Paul Campbell

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 19:00:43 +1300

Today's Tremain

Ross Mason

Thu, 03 Nov 2016 16:07:01 +1300

Last couple of paragraphs of the introduction of the AGs report:

“My final thought relates to transparency. New Zealand has worked hard to have an ethical and transparent public sector. Accusations of corruption and bribery should be of concern to us all. **During my time as Auditor-General, I…

Sacha

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 17:14:10 +1300

Why have our Auditors become so spineless in recent years?

simon g

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 14:36:36 +1300

It's another one from the boilerplate, like every IPCA report.

Question: "Did Mr X steal a car?"
Answer: "Mr X did not commit murder."
Headline: "Exonerated!".

Alfie

Wed, 02 Nov 2016 14:13:38 +1300

The Auditor-General has released her report into McCully's dodgy Saudi sheep bribe.

Alfie

Mon, 01 Aug 2016 16:27:05 +1200

McCully's scandalous $11.5m Al Khalaf bribe is back in the news.

Treasury documents released under the Official Information Act reveal McCully met with Al Khalaf in Riyadh in April, where he also met with the Saudi Minister of Commerce and officials and hosted a function for interested New Zealand companies.…

Alfie

Mon, 04 Jul 2016 14:05:59 +1200

The Nation has an excellent report from Phil Vine on McCully's multimillion dollar Saudi sheep bribe. Producer Tim Watkin follows up on Pundit, suggesting McCully not only mislead parliament but is guilty of pulling the wool over Key's eyes as well.

Ian Dalziel

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 15:10:11 +1200

Yesterday RNZ broke the story about Earl Hagaman making a record $101k donation to the National Party...
But the Nats have softened us up to the extent that most people just go ’Baaaa!’ and move on.
– Corruption really is the new blue.
Building 'Laughter Houses' in Niue?

Alfie

Wed, 20 Apr 2016 12:18:18 +1200

While the only sheep in this story are the increasingly blind populace of our fair isles, it fits into this thread because it involves big money, corruption and yet more McCully sleight of hand.

Yesterday RNZ broke the story about Earl Hagman making a record $101k donation to the National…

Alfie

Sun, 03 Apr 2016 14:11:59 +1200

Despite John Key claimed to have "raised” the issue of human rights with the Saudi king last year, the evil Kingdom seems intent on breaking its own impressive execution records. Here’s the latest figures.

Saudi beheadings
2013 – 79
2014 – 88
2015 – 158
2016 – 82 (so far –…

Ian Dalziel

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 09:38:32 +1300

Fleece navvy dead....
the $11.5m Saudi sheep bribe has risen by a further $280,000
guess who's looking 'sheepish' now...

Alfie

Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:12:53 +1300

McCully has admitted that the $11.5m Saudi sheep bribe has risen by a further $280,000 to pay for a project manager for eighteen months.

Joe Wylie

Fri, 29 Jan 2016 16:00:46 +1300

"The Fickle Muslim" – not likely to challenge Steve Bell's Mutton Mine for all-time greatest cartoon video game title, but very nice nonetheless :)

Alfie

Fri, 29 Jan 2016 15:45:59 +1300

Tremain in the ODT.

Ian Dalziel

Sun, 10 Jan 2016 09:02:11 +1300

Nice to see The fashion police are out and about this summer:
Police would like to hear from anyone who recognises the man.
"The jeans tucked into those socks should trigger any memories," police said.
"Even in little old Te Awamutu we are not immune from this type of offending."…

Ian Dalziel

Sun, 10 Jan 2016 07:21:41 +1300

Oh joy unbound!
Mr Obama (the President of Disney land) is going to visit NZ …as a thank you for our ‘heavy lifting’ on the TPPA negotiations

Two things come to mind:
(i) I thought Groser was there negotiating on our behalf, not the USA’s?

(ii) If you want to…

Joe Wylie

Wed, 06 Jan 2016 16:46:03 +1300

David Shearer said on RNZ this morning that human rights concerns should not impede our trade with Saudi. Whatever happened to moral fibre? Or a relevant political opposition?
Shearer sounds disturbingly like Margaret Thatcher in "reasonable" mode, advocating the "wisdom" of maintaining trade ties with apartheid South Africa.

Alfie

Wed, 06 Jan 2016 13:56:35 +1300

Cartoon by Garrick Tremain

While National continue to suck up to the evil regime – just think about all that cheap oil – at least NZ First and the Greens are calling for a halt to trade talks with the Saudis following their mass murder of those who oppose the…

Sofie Bribiesca

Fri, 04 Dec 2015 15:38:38 +1300

Cluster flock…

This is getting ridiculous. This Government are taking the piss and we get to pay.Everything has been designed for no responsibility which in turns allows all Ministers to keep passing the buck or just spout crap and the response more often than not in Parliament is "Labour did…

Ian Dalziel

Fri, 04 Dec 2015 09:19:40 +1300

Cluster flock...
...how’s that free trade deal going?
yeah, nah, it's not looking so 'free' is it...

and in an ancient coincidence another word for abattoir is
...a shambles!

So... just an omnishambles happening in slow motion, huh?

Alfie

Fri, 04 Dec 2015 08:42:27 +1300

Sorry the sheep died, Mr Al-Khalaf. Our fault entirely. We should've known they were unlikely to survive in desert conditions. So here's another $2.6m of taxpayer money for... let's call it an abattoir this time, shall we? Somewhere to kill all those... er... dead sheep. And let's be clear... this…

Sacha

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 13:46:38 +1300

His latest attempt to explain most of the lambs dying (without releasing the report that he denied in the House that Mr Joyce has read) is pathetic:

unfortunately there was a climatic event that occurred up there and that was combined with some illness of animals where there was some…

Alfie

Thu, 19 Nov 2015 13:37:19 +1300

Mass lamb deaths, multi-million dollar bribes to an offshore businessman, a blank refusal to release the official report, McCully caught telling porkies then using redacted documents to try and pin the blame on Labour. The whole Saudi sheep thing didn't go well for the Nats, did it.

At this point…

Ian Dalziel

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 06:56:29 +1300

refusing...public transparency
But, but, that nice Mr Key is big on transparency – see...

Alfie

Mon, 16 Nov 2015 06:12:29 +1300

The government is still frantically trying to conceal any details of the Saudi sheep dirty deal involving millions of dollars of taxpayers' money being used to effectively bribe a foreign businessman. The chief ombudsman is investigating.

The Stuff story opens with a remarkably clumsy line.
Details about the deaths of…

Joe Wylie

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:43:49 +1300

Hey... look over there! It's a snow leopard!

Heh! You might give someone ideas. In Owen Marshall's novel A Many Coated Man, set in mid-21st century NZ, there's a passing mention of feral snow leopards having been "acclimatised" and established as apex predators in the South Island high country.

Rich of Observationz

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 13:13:12 +1300

I would settle for no less than a pterodactyl.

Alfie

Fri, 16 Oct 2015 11:14:36 +1300

Sorry if this isn't the best thread for this, but "Misappropriating taxpayers’ money" seems appropriate.

It looks like Key's bring a cute panda to New Zealand tactic may not end well if this Fairfax story is correct. Wellington Zoo's chief executive has spoken with her counterpart in Sydney. Taronga Zoo's…

Joe Wylie

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 14:40:37 +1200

McLay's only major policy beef with the Lange Government was the no nukes issue. A cartoon of the time depicted him in a US sailor suit, announcing that he'd invite a nuclear-armed frigate to the upcoming Waitangi celebrations. A tattoo of the word Marcy was shown prominently on his arm,…

Joe Wylie

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 14:13:40 +1200

By way of a little history, here's Jim's account of how he tried to roll the Gang of One. His little more than a year as opposition leader consisted of largely agreeing with the Lange Government while frantically trying to put out fires lit by backbencher Muldoon. Eventually he publicly challenged…

Ian Dalziel

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 13:55:36 +1200

is Jim related?
Not sure, both Jim and Roger are 70…

and to be honest I had forgotten about Roger
and thought that Jim was Todd’s relative…

shoulda checked – but ya got my drift anyway…

Sofie Bribiesca

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 10:56:43 +1200

I see Jim McClay got one also

Jeez that Todd McClay is a piece of work too ain't he? – that question time absurdity earlier in the week was Kafkaesque in the extreme
So many McClays, thought you were talking about his father, (Roger) for a minute there

[[http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10667171| Is Jim…

Alfie

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 10:38:14 +1200

It's just as bad in the UK. The tory MP who illegally claimed over £2,000 in parliamentary expenses to have his manor house moat cleaned has just been given a life peerage by David Cameron. Labour politicians have started referring to him as Lord Moat.

Joe Wylie

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 10:15:06 +1200

I see Jim McClay got one also

Belated payback for having his Party leadership white-anted from under him back when mastodons, sorry Muldoon, walked the earth?

Ian Dalziel

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 09:09:45 +1200

Premature celebration...
I guess the Nats decided to sneak this gong through in a hurry
I see Jim McClay got one also – can we now see the full budget for promoting the vote in our favour...
Jeez that Todd McClay is a piece of work too ain't he? -…

Alfie

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 08:14:36 +1200

Pin the tail on the Ass
I see McCully was awarded an OPT* yesterday for singlehandedly destroying New Zealand's reputation for transparency and lack of corruption. Well done Muzza!

Sadly... this is more or less true. I guess the Nats decided to sneak this gong through in a hurry, before…

chris

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 18:11:15 +1200

etc

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

The correct terminology for full or permanent residency is indefinite leave to remain (ILR). You can apply for ILR in several ways depending upon your UK immigration status.

ILR allows you to remain in the UK for an indefinite period, on condition you intend…

chris

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 17:53:24 +1200

As much as I appreciate a joke at the expense of Australia…

The permanent residence system is important for migrants from countries like the Netherlands and India, who aren’t allowed dual nationality by their birth country.

I’m not implying that we remove the Permanent residence system, I’m suggesting that like…

Rich of Observationz

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:33:56 +1200

You have to live here for two years to get permanent residence now (previously, you got 'permanent' residence immediately, but it could expire if you left the country for an extended time before two years were up).

The permanent residence system is important for migrants from countries like the Netherlands…

chris

Sun, 23 Aug 2015 21:40:06 +1200

(there’s another upgrade cost, over time…)

Speaking of upgrades or the lack of, watch Doctor Don Brash, Shamubeel Eaqub and Professor Paul Spoonley discuss "Immigration: Are we benefiting?". Roll up and witness them munch on words for 18+ minutes. Watch as they talk up the benefits whilst managing to successfully…

grant

Sun, 23 Aug 2015 11:11:00 +1200

Sorry all. My post above was made inadvertently. Was meant to be made at In Defence Of The Centre.

grant

Sun, 23 Aug 2015 11:04:36 +1200

I was idly browsing through my Oxford Dictionary Of Quotations last night and came across this little pearler from Oswald Mosley (English fascist leader in the 1930's):

"I am not, and never have been, a man of the right. My position was on the left and is now in the…

Ian Dalziel

Sun, 23 Aug 2015 10:12:06 +1200

...but he does take great pride in not having
worn or flown our flag at the match:
Surely he had a Driver's Licence in his wallet?
(there's another upgrade cost, over time...)

Joe Wylie

Sun, 23 Aug 2015 01:26:27 +1200

How would we feel about a rule that only allowed for questions to be asked across the floor?

All I can manage is that what looks like a clear case of gaming the system seems to be time-honoured practice. Those better versed in parliamentary practise and the intricacy of standing…

chris

Sun, 23 Aug 2015 00:37:36 +1200

Thanks for that knowledge Joe. How would we feel about a rule that only allowed for questions to be asked across the floor?

Joe Wylie

Sun, 23 Aug 2015 00:08:44 +1200

Another bugbear I have, related to protocol, is the indulgence that is members being allowed to ask questions of other members from within their party
Dorothy Dixer.

chris

Sat, 22 Aug 2015 23:54:34 +1200

Thanks for doing that Sofie, that is awesome. Another bugbear I have, related to protocol, is the indulgence that is members being allowed to ask questions of other members from within their party, as can be seen in that same clip where Jami-Lee Ross asks his party leader John Key…

Alfie

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 18:30:27 +1200

Does it tarnish reputation to actually have dirty dealers held accountable? I don't think so – I think it does the opposite.

As an immediate effect perhaps. But in the long term it would surely discourage other dirty dealers and incentivise greater honesty for all those in public service.

Sofie Bribiesca

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 17:34:56 +1200

Ok, done that but any tone you express is completely understandable and frustration is often the good cause for emails. Sacha ,on the other hand can appear to be reliving his punk days where head bangin' was the norm . Not sure that's pro active though. ;)

Sofie Bribiesca

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 16:00:57 +1200

So, no, asking a question like that is not reasonable – it's a wasted opportunity and utterly stupid behaviour that Labour shows no sign of improving on

That particular question was put down and transferred with much ado about Key avoiding it, which left Andrew Little trying to…

izogi

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 15:40:09 +1200

Alfie: I’d humbly suggest that McCully’s bribe, that dodgy ‘invoice’ and the other backroom antics surrounding this affair have already tarnished our country’s previously enviable reputation for honesty and transparency.

Suzanne Snively of Transparency International was on Morning Report yesterday morning saying exactly this, as I understood it.

BenWilson: Does…

Sacha

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 15:27:02 +1200

have learned some of the strange rules by watching #nzqt more times than is healthy. :)

chris

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 15:23:16 +1200

Agreed ,good idea, shall I suggest it to them or do you want to?

You are more than welcome to Sofie, it’s not that I’m lazy it’s that it’d take me a week of deep breathing to find the appropriate tone, plus you have rapport.

chris

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 15:21:17 +1200

if a supplementary question has more than one part, the Minister only has to answer one. Which predictably is what he did.

Thanks for the knowledge Sacha.

Sofie Bribiesca

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 15:20:10 +1200

Why not simply stop asking Key, Joyce, English, Brownlee, Guy and McCully anything, they’re all economists of truth. Why not instead play The Weakest Link and attempt to isolate less mendacious members, members with some semblance of a moral compass, find issues (there are enough around) related to them and…

Sacha

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 15:09:21 +1200

perfectly reasonable questions

if a supplementary question has more than one part, the Minister only has to answer one. Which predictably is what he did.

So, no, asking a question like that is not reasonable – it's a wasted opportunity and utterly stupid behaviour that Labour shows no sign of…

chris

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 15:00:08 +1200

It doesn't strike me as entirely untoward to suggest a change of tack.

chris

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 14:58:25 +1200

I do like a suggestion up some thread earlier that simple words like “Is that the truth John? when he obfuscates and downright lies may just be quite powerful because he can always be called on his bullshit in the future from anyone. Trouble is, we need the media doing…

Sofie Bribiesca

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 14:11:52 +1200

Not sure if you are aware Katharine but below the response box is info how to link stuff. It has other ideas as well which can be really helpful. Your post above for example could look like

East Coast by election

Katharine Moody

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 13:12:58 +1200

Another East Coast Bays by-election?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/East_Coast_Bays_by-election,_1980

Alfie

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 10:51:55 +1200

Tremain

chris

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 23:39:15 +1200

I’d humbly suggest that McCully’s bribe, that dodgy ‘invoice’ and the other backroom antics surrounding this affair have already tarnished our country’s previously enviable reputation for honesty and transparency.

Not to mention the absolute facepalm of an effort to adequately vet the delegate our country sent to assume presidency of…

Kumara Republic

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 23:01:57 +1200

If McCully gets done for corruption, what probability he’ll take a number of his colleagues and apostles down with him, whether by accident or design?

Sofie Bribiesca

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 12:29:39 +1200

It's a pretty weak call she's making. It amounts to "he shouldn't stand down...yet"

And that's the entire article. Almost a radio soundbite. Blah blah blah blah Murray McCully ok blah blah blah, I cant read documents blah blah Auditor General can blah.Nothing to see here, have I written 100…

BenWilson

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 12:04:09 +1200

It's a pretty weak call she's making. It amounts to "he shouldn't stand down...yet".

But her reasons why beyond the obvious thing about presumption of innocence are very poor. Does it tarnish reputation to actually have dirty dealers held accountable? I don't think so – I think it does the…

Alfie

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 10:51:47 +1200

Amidst the numerous calls for McCully to stand down, one Rachel Smalley disagrees because standing MM down might make NZ look bad.
The deal looks messy. The deal looks murky. It appears we have paid what amounts to a bribe, but we shouldn't risk tarnishing our international reputation until we know…

Joe Wylie

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:56:23 +1200

Auditor-General Lyn Provost will carry out an inquiry into the Saudi sheep bribe. Does this mean that Murray McCully will finally have to front up and actually answer the difficult questions?

If the recent online sacrificial slagging of McCully from those who habitually employ the PM's rectum as a pulpit…

Alfie

Tue, 18 Aug 2015 14:34:39 +1200

Auditor-General Lyn Provost will carry out an inquiry into the Saudi sheep bribe. Does this mean that Murray McCully will finally have to front up and actually answer the difficult questions?

Sofie Bribiesca

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 20:13:53 +1200

However I’m not convinced that working so diligently within the parameters (the box) provided – as Labour have been doing – is reaping much of a harvest

And there is the nub of it. If they try to compete on National's level, it is dirty dishonest politics. I frankly find…

chris

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 17:47:02 +1200

A number of excellent points there Sofie especially:

I really don’t think it’s as easy as we think.

And I honestly do respect your restraint in terms of not throwing stones at the opposition, given they’re all we’ve got. However I’m not convinced that working so diligently within the parameters…

Sofie Bribiesca

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 16:17:34 +1200

When I listen to question time, for the most part I grimace, so often the answer the opposition wants is in their question

Yes ,agreement there but bear in mind all primary questions are on notice and have to be accepted by..., Speakers office. Once again pushing shit uphill before…

chris

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 15:28:04 +1200

While I don’t dispute the precariousness of the position our democracy has found itself in Sofie, I do expect the opposition to do better, that is their job. Effectively participating in a debate, as our MPs do every time house is sitting doesn’t simply require turning up. It doesn’t simply…

Sofie Bribiesca

Mon, 17 Aug 2015 10:25:26 +1200

And you know there’s also some National Party cheerleaders such as say Mike Hosking – who without bothering to read the documents will say “there’s nothing to see here” – and I put John Roughan in that same category, he can’t possibly have read the documents before he wrote that…

chris

Sun, 16 Aug 2015 23:53:39 +1200

But we’ve seen time and again how that plays out "At the end of the day…". I think Matthew Hooton was spot on last week in his analysis of exactly who holds the cards and needs to step up and play them effectively (and the likely repercussions of not doing…

Lynn Lander

Sat, 15 Aug 2015 20:26:25 +1200

Time to re-frame the debate I think. Forget transparency in government, its not gonna happen (and in a very few cases shouldn't happen). It IS time for politicians to be pressured for honest answers. Politicians (no need to name them all) are avoiding accountability by either being 'not available' for…

andin

Sat, 15 Aug 2015 19:08:27 +1200

it’s not a bribe,

No its a crime against language.
If trying to manipulate words to control perceptions isnt a crime, it should be!
P-P-P-P-P-Propaganda.

Alfie

Sat, 15 Aug 2015 12:32:23 +1200

Toby Manhire — it's not a bribe, it's a non-compensatory facilitisational disbursement.

Roger Lacey

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 13:10:49 +1200

(along with his smarmy Red Dwarf Act sidekick)

Looks like Rimmer, sounds like Rimmer. I think you've sussed him out.

Paul Campbell

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:45:09 +1200

and even more

Paul Campbell

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:44:22 +1200

and more

Paul Campbell

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:41:47 +1200

more Tremain

Steve Barnes

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:18:05 +1200

asking 2 really obvious questions of the government:

1) When did the Rugby World Cup draw take place?

2) When did you discover where Britain is?

3) Who is the sponsor of the Grubby World Cup?.

Heineken, A major shareholder in Dominion Breweries.
Corruption? what corruption?

Joe Wylie

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 12:08:29 +1200

I'm old enough to remember when Tom Scott was still funny.

To be fair he still hits it occasionally, but he pretty much lost me back when he got sucked into crusading for a particularly goofy form of moral panic over marijuana.

Alfie

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:59:58 +1200

Tom Scott obliges.
I'm old enough to remember when Tom Scott was still funny.

Deborah

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:47:55 +1200

Today's Parliamentary Question #5:
Hon DAVID PARKER to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: When the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated on 19 April 2012 that they were "finding an appropriate mechanism to meet Al Khalaf's concern for 'compensation' (possibly through the joint venture)", **did 'compensation' mean compensation or…

Joe Wylie

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:45:57 +1200

the "rugby and beer" story is now about the Greens

Tom Scott obliges.

Sofie Bribiesca

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:15:59 +1200

I don't mind that not everyone agrees on policy, but I really dislike the recent polarisation which somehow merges together policy preferences and acceptance of corruption and unaccountable governance. When there's a perception of so much being at stake, the latter gets treated as the price of getting the policy…

Sofie Bribiesca

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 10:59:58 +1200

..and Captain Smile and Wave gets to make it all go away and vilify the Greens into the bargain (along with his smarmy Red Dwarf Act sidekick)
when his Minister should have factored it into his overview of the RWC and all that that entails.

Yes didn't that work out…

Ian Dalziel

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:53:26 +1200

Drop Kick!
1) When did the Rugby World Cup draw take place?
2) When did you discover where Britain is?
McCully is juggling too many balls – he should stand down
... as Rugby World Cup Minister he should have been 'across' this coverage time as it affects the proletariat…

Alfie

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 09:51:31 +1200

Tremain... of course.

Katharine Moody

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 08:50:38 +1200

Link for that MFAT page is;

http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Trade-and-Economic-Relations/2-Trade-Relationships-and-Agreements/Gulf-Cooperation-Council/

Thanks, Matthew for the clarification. They really are a bunch of rotten eggs.

Kumara Republic

Thu, 13 Aug 2015 00:34:05 +1200

I think it even seems to be how they change their minds on politics, for the most part – voting out rather than voting in.

So to a large extent the old mantra "oppositions don't win, governments lose" still stands? In this case, good oppositions still need to regularly set…

BenWilson

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 22:22:35 +1200

I fear to a lot of people he sounded like someone patient but wearied at the tedious journalist who wouldn’t let him explain things fully and frankly :(

Sure. It takes time to change that perception. They have to see this kind of thing over and over and over. Of…

Shaun Scott

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 22:08:59 +1200

Meh. Not sure what the bother is.
All sounds pretty legal

andin

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 21:20:32 +1200

bad political management

Really?
So the really screwed up attitudes of people has to be danced around?
Thank fuck I dont like rugby..

Sacha

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 20:38:05 +1200

the "rugby and beer" story is now about the Greens

that was inevitable. bad political management on their part.

izogi

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 19:30:56 +1200

I’m not so convinced that 40% are that gullible or even care that much

Neither. I know more than a few in that 40% who are disgusted by politicians generally, but they go ahead and vote for what they see as their policy preferences because it's all they expect no…

simon g

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 16:05:09 +1200

It says much about (delete where applicable) Key's populist skill / opposition's failings / media's uselessness ... that the "rugby and beer" story is now about the Greens, rather than asking 2 really obvious questions of the government:

1) When did the Rugby World Cup draw take place?

2) When…

Jason Kemp

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 15:28:12 +1200

When there are columns in the NBR business paper like this where Stephen Franks calls a bribe an actual bribe. (Friday August 7, 2015)

Was our Saudi sheep farm wasted money whatever happened?

and others OPINION: McCully sacking critical to Key’s integrity – behind paywall. Matthew Hooton WEEKEND REVIEW…

chris

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 14:18:25 +1200

there will always be 40% of the population who believe what he says, no matter how odious or obvious the lies.

I’m not so convinced that 40% are that gullible or even care that much, the choice they’re presented with at this stage is someone who sounds effortlessly natural:

Key…

Sacha

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:59:03 +1200

The answer to this from #nzqt today will be interestingly creative (if the Speaker lets it get that far):

Hon DAVID PARKER to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by his statement today that Hon Murray McCully was saying "he didn't want the lawyers brought in to be talking about…

Matthew Hooton

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 13:22:40 +1200

I am unhappy with the governments negotiations in the TPP. What is the going rate on the government purchasing my ill-defined intellectual property?

I have similar concerns with the Ottawa Convention on Landmines (see http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Foreign-Relations/1-Global-Issues/Disarmament/0--Conventional-arms/0-land-mine-convention.php)

This means I have no hope of helping a friendly local landmines company sell its…

Katharine Moody

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:37:06 +1200

Hey look over there… there’s a flag!

And let's be honest about it – from a pure design perspective, not one of those 40 shortlisted come even close to the design excellence of

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tino_rangatiratanga#/media/File:Tino_Rangatiratanga_Maori_sovereignty_movement_flag.svg

David Hood

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:18:21 +1200

I am unhappy with the governments negotiations in the TPP. What is the going rate on the government purchasing my ill-defined intellectual property?

Matthew Hooton

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 12:02:57 +1200

In this case, it can't have been the Clark regime's fault.

It is true it banned live-sheep exports in 2003, as did the Howard government. But, in 2006, Trade Minister Goff launched FTA talks with the GCC, which Saudi largely controls. Trade Minister Groser completed these talks in 2009. By…

Alfie

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:39:20 +1200

I'm not sure – I fear to a lot of people he sounded like someone patient but wearied at the tedious journalist who wouldn't let him explain things fully and frankly :(

And that's one of Key's main tricks. Because there will always be 40% of the population who believe…

Wildo

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:38:14 +1200

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3yFiNk_Ufw

There is no truth, there is only opinion.

Rob Stowell

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:36:28 +1200

Key sounded like a broken record player trying it on over, and over, and over.
I'm not sure – I fear to a lot of people he sounded like someone patient but wearied at the tedious journalist who wouldn't let him explain things fully and frankly :(

simon g

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 11:02:21 +1200

Yes, but was he wearing an Australian shirt?

Parliament? What's that?

(*above questions based on actual media coverage of same ...)

BenWilson

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:34:00 +1200

The PM is extraordinarily good at sticking to his talking points, and evading and misdirecting without quite lying. We know that: there are journalists who try to call him on it now, which is great.

Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.

But the opposition largely remain captive to the narrative…

Joe Wylie

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:24:18 +1200

And on the framing side: it seems we’ve largely swallowed without gagging the ACT party framing of government expenditure as ‘taxpayers’ money.’

Though no-one's raiding ACT on Campus's meagre legacy of attempted wit by calling Key the "Prime Moneywaster".

Rob Stowell

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:17:29 +1200

The PM is extraordinarily good at sticking to his talking points, and evading and misdirecting without quite lying. We know that: there are journalists who try to call him on it now, which is great. But the opposition largely remain captive to the narrative the govt choses.
And on the…

Kumara Republic

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 10:09:25 +1200

The Prime Minister’s weird, mendacious Morning Report interview.

He holds the rest of us in contempt.

Each time Susie had the blowtorch on him, he kept shifting the blame on to “the previous government”.

bob daktari

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:57:23 +1200

It's just a little depressing that so much of accountability seems contingent on Opposition parties coming up with the perfect gotcha. Surely there's more to it than the game ...

This... and it is so so so very depressing, everyone wants the gotcha and associated cheap laughs at someone else…

Wildo

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:53:36 +1200

Hey!! No new flag for you!!

Alfie

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:45:52 +1200

The Prime Minister's weird, mendacious Morning Report interview.

He holds the rest of us in contempt.
While listening to that interview this morning with Key endlessly repeating lies which have already been disproved, I pictured the man looking greyer and more tired than usual.

History will no doubt remember his…

Rob Salmond

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:23:27 +1200

That interview was astonishing. We know that this expenditure was so unusual that it required the MFAT CEO to visit the Auditor-General to try and explain what on earth was going on. Yet Key wants us to believe that same expenditure was simultaneously so normal that it's OK to not…

Sacha

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 09:04:44 +1200

He sure does. Great to hear a journo doing her job and not accepting the guy's constant lies and evasions.

Russell Brown

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 08:56:12 +1200

The Prime Minister's weird, mendacious Morning Report interview.

He holds the rest of us in contempt.

Ian Dalziel

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 08:29:59 +1200

The Bellwether leads us astray...
McCully should be sheepish about being 'cowed' by foreign bullies.
He should fall on his 'Saud' – (as it were)...

Now if Saudi Arabia were party to an agreement with us (such as the odious TPPA) they may well have had every 'right' to…

Sacha

Wed, 12 Aug 2015 07:51:01 +1200

subsidising the already loaded

perfectly consistent with their core ideology, rather than hypocritical.

Russell Brown

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 23:19:40 +1200

One of the most limp #nzqt displays by Labour I’ve seen in a long while lets the Nats dodge questions and re-run their usual lines of it all being Labour’s fault (with the connivance of the Speaker as usual).

Sigh. Didn't watch, but I'm sure you're right.

It's just a…

Kumara Republic

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 22:04:29 +1200

You can also add the glaring hypocrisy of subsidising the already loaded, when Main Street keeps being told the cupboard's bare.

Ewan Morris

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 19:51:23 +1200

And let's not forget another McCully special – refocusing New Zealand's aid programme away from a focus on poverty elimination, without actually bothering to review the effectiveness of the existing programme (short version here).

Rob Salmond

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 19:09:58 +1200

Update: The Labour party has produced a digest of some of the 900 pages of documents, including some of the documents I quoted from in this post, and stuck them up online here.

Steve Barnes

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 16:09:05 +1200

So, let us see.
My neighbour has a nice car. I would like to take his car for my own use and it would also increase my status.
However, stealing is illegal. Should I demand compensation from the Gummint? say $4m. Seems fine to me.

James Caygill

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:39:20 +1200

So to me it all boils down to your fourth point Rob, the rest is both distracting or arguably beside the point in the cut and thrust of real politik.

Labour should be focussed solely on the mis-spending of funds appropriated by parliament for a particular purpose. On that point…

Sacha

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:09:11 +1200

One of the most limp #nzqt displays by Labour I've seen in a long while lets the Nats dodge questions and re-run their usual lines of it all being Labour's fault (with the connivance of the Speaker as usual).

PM claimed in answer to Q10 that Cabinet did not need…

Katharine Moody

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 15:00:34 +1200

great business leaders we have it seems *shudders*

Yep, and don't forget it was McCully who chaired our recent stint at head of table on the Security Council. The two vetoes in a single session (a record) might have been sending a message about the appalling diplomatic representation we are…

Sacha

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:35:10 +1200

Let's see if Q10 in #nzqt today sheds any further light on that matter.

Graeme Edgeler

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:31:19 +1200

Is it your view that the money was spent outside the scope the appropriation it came from? If so, have you considered a complaint with the police for a criminal breach of the Public Finance Act?

TracyMac

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:24:28 +1200

The other word that sprang to my mind was 'bribe'.

If this situation is as reported, why exactly is he being 'compensated'? Sucks to him that the disgusting live exports are off, but that's part of doing business – conditions change. Were any other exporters in this boat – so…

Alfie

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:19:27 +1200

Garrick Tremain in the ODT.

Russell Brown

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:18:57 +1200

This seems a good time to call back that old favourite: McCully's Tourism Board fiasco:

In February 1998, something odd happened. A little tourism advisory unit was transferred from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Internal Affairs in order that it might be combined with another unit. Together,…

Alfie

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:18:23 +1200

Don't the words 'graft' and 'embezzlement' come to mind?
As do the words bribery, fraud and corruption.

Martin Brown

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:11:03 +1200

SFO investigation, at that dollar level.

Sacha

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 14:02:04 +1200

McCully's latest statement (released in writing and reported identically by RNZ and Fairfax) shifts ground slightly on advice he got.

But McCully said appropriate independent and internal legal advice was sought on the contract for services which MFAT entered into with the Al Khalaf group.

Let's see that 'independent' advice,…

bob daktari

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:50:39 +1200

wow... I thought that satire lambasting key and had to check the byline

great business leaders we have it seems *shudders*

Kumara Republic

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:49:18 +1200

Don't the words 'graft' and 'embezzlement' come to mind?

Katharine Moody

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:45:20 +1200

I can't but help wonder what Al Khalaf and the Saudi's make of all this

They're amused and who could blame them;

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/68145274/Prime-Minister-John-Key-meets-Saudi-Arabias-Prince-Alwaleed-bin-Talal

bob daktari

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:40:20 +1200

The govt must be held to account – though the process being fair and all that won't be fast enough for the public to take much notice

I can't but help wonder what Al Khalaf and the Saudi's make of all this – surely Duncan Garner's et al have been…

sandra

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:37:41 +1200

Thanks Rob. I heard a bit of Matthew Hooton going off about it yesterday on NatRad – he too, was calling for the head of McCully.

Stinky, stinky, stinky.

Public Address

Tue, 11 Aug 2015 13:37:40 +1200

Discussion from blog post.